gauges blinking at night

[ericcarr2000]

Ok, I just got back from taking her out at night and noticed that my volt gauge needle jumps while the motor is running, back and fourth between the 12-14 volt range. Also at this time I noticed that all of my gauges lights are blinking a bit also, in time with the volt gauge needle going back and fourth. Any suggestions? The motor is a blueprinted 3.7 mercruiser that has only 107 hours on her and I converted the stator over to traditional alternator conversion kit.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: gauges blinking at night

check the small wires on the alternator to make sure they are not loose.

 

[ericcarr2000]

Re: gauges blinking at night

I neglected to mention that when I first start the motor, it registers in the 10 volt range and is steady. It only jumps back and fourth after it reaches the full (14 volt) capacity....

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: gauges blinking at night

voltage will drop when the starter motor is pulling current. There's a sense wire and a ignition wire on the alternator that tells the alternator when to produce power and how much if the ignition wire is loose then the alternator is starting and stopping (producing power).

unless you have a one wire alternator its easy to check the ignition wire to see if that's the problem

 

[ericcarr2000]

Re: gauges blinking at night

I do believe it is one of them one wire alternator conversion kits...

 

[achris]

Re: gauges blinking at night

Check condition of battery, battery terminals and condition of all negative cables to engine block and instrument panel....